Beacon



Oct. 22, 1929. w. R -HUNT5MAN 1,732,363

BEACON Filed March 29, 192s /fI//y//m @js/7%?? maa Patented Oct. 22, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM ROY HUNTSMAN, OF BROOKLINE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO B. T. CORPORATION OF AMERICA, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A GORZPORATION OF DELAWARE Application led March 29,

This invention relates to a beacon arranged to throw a beam or beams of light for the guidance of aeroplanes or other air vehicles and is particularly directed to a beacon which serves to send predetermined signals, visible to the operator of an aeroplane.

In beacons heretofore used, the beams of light thrown therefrom have been substan tially 'circular in cross section so that an aviator might readily fly either above or below the beam without seeing the source of light. Furthermore, merely seeing a source of light is insufficient, since such light would convey no information concerning its location or the direction 4of flight.

It is accordingly the object of the present invention to provide a beacon which will throw a beam of light ina vertical plane so that an aviator intersecting that plane in any position will be able to see the light. A further object is the provision of a beacon which is arranged to give predetermined signals by making visible to an aviator intermittent ashes of light.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a side elevation partly in section showing a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a plan view partly in section of the beacon shown in Fig. 1.

A housing 2 is mounted on a vertical shaft 4c which may be driven at anydesired speed by a motor, or the like, to cause a rotation of the housing and its contents. Mounted in the housing 2 are a plurality of lamps 6 adjacent each of which are side shields 8 extending outwardly from the body of the housing and providing a passage through which the rays from the lamp may pass. Extending between the shields 8 is a lens 10 which in a vertical plane subtends approximately ninety degrees from a horizontal to a vertical position about the lamp. As shown in Fig. 1, the rays of the lamp may pass through this lens 10 so that the resulting beam subtends an angle of about ninety degrees measured from the horizontal. In transverse cross section lens 10 is shaped so that the diverging rays from the filament of lamp 6 are directed in parallelism therefrom. Secured be- BEACON 1928. Serial. No. 265,556.

hind and below lamp 6 is a reflecting mirror 'l2 substantially concentric with the filament m the lamp, so that the rays passing from the `filament are reflected substantially through lthe filament or closely adjacent thereto and y,

thence outwardly from lens 10. As a result of the construction disclosed, a beam of light extends from cach lamp of the beacon, which beam subtends vertically an angle of substantially Vninety degrees and which is con, tained between the parallel vertical planes of shields 8. i

By the 'construction described, it is clear that an aviator cannot intersect the vertical plane of the beam from a lamp on the side of the beacon on which the lamp is located with-l out being able to see the lamp.

If, with all the lamps lighted and in position, the beacon is rotated, a series of intermittent flashes occurring at equal intervals will be visible to a stationary or slowly moving observer. If, instead of having all the lamps lighted, say one of' them is removed or turned out or covered so as to be obscured, there will result three intermittent flashes at close intervals followed by a relatively long interval. By other combinations of lighted lamps, it will be lclear that various signals may be sent. While only four lamps are shown in the beacon illustrated, it will, of S0 course, be clear that any number of lamps may be provided whereby more elaborate messages may be sent to an aviator or other observer. Also, instead of having( the lens equally spaced about the beacon they might `se be unevenly spaced so that all the lights might be lighted but nevertheless an irregular series of flashes will be produced. It will also be obvious that instead of a series of lamps a single lamp might have its rays di-MQO rected from a number of apertures, thereby producing the same result.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A beacon arranged to throw a beam ofw light subtending vertically an angle of sub" stantially ninety degrees and of relatively narrow horizontal extent lcomprising a casing, a source of light of relatively small eX- tent carried by the casing, a plurality 100 parallel vertical masking walls on opposite sides of the source of light and a lens mounted between the planes of the walls and extending about a horizontal aXis through the light through substantially ninety degrees, said lensv servingv to direct rays from the souree parallel to the planes of the walls.

2. A beacon arranged to throw a beam of light subtending vertically an angle of substantially ninety degrees and of relatively narrow horizontal extent comprising a casing, a source of light of relatively small extent carried by the easing, a plurality of parallel vertical masking walls on opposite sides of the souree of light, a lens mounted between the planes of the walls and extendling .abouty a horizontal axis through the light through substantially ninety degrees, said len's serving to direct rays from the source parallel to the planes of the walls, and a concave spherical mirror arranged eoneentrical- 1y with'the source on the side opposite the lens.

In testimony of which invention, I have hereunto set my hand, at Philadelphia, Penn- Sylvania, on this 21st day of March, 1928.

WILLIAM ROY HUNTSMAN. 

